Volunteers wave goodbye to stash of trash

Winter Adopt-A-Beach Cleanup clears bay, gulf sands of clutter

PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE - A syringe, a construction hard hat and plenty of ribbons tied to busted balloons were some of the trash gathered Saturday on Padre Island National Seashore for the Winter Adopt-A-Beach Cleanup.

About 150 people registered for the Padre Island National Seashore cleanup and another 90 volunteered at Redfish Bay, which followed the Redfish Bay Trash Parade through Aransas Pass. The parade, which featured 25 entries that included a Trash Wizard and electric three-wheel vehicle, was held Saturday morning to garner support for the cleanup, said organizer Richard Gonzales.

At Redfish Bay, cleanup volunteers filled three pickups with trash from the Lighthouse Lakes Trail Park along Redfish Bay Causeway. Many of the volunteers for the Padre Island National Seashore cleanup dispersed about noon when it began to rain, officials said.

Another cleanup also was scheduled for Saturday at Corpus Christi Beach. The Spring Adopt-A-Beach cleanup is set for April 25. Information: www.glo.state.tx.us/adopt-a-beach.